Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service to decrease by -26.0% between 2024 and 2034, from 35,400 to 26,200 jobs. Its estimate of 3,100 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($38,630), education (High school diploma or equivalent), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
35,400
Projected employment (2034)
26,200
Projected change (2024–2034)
-26%
Annual openings (projected average)
3,100
Pay & Preparation
$38,630
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Active Listening (4/5) • Speaking (3.88/5) • Social Perceptiveness (3.5/5) • Service Orientation (3.12/5) • Reading Comprehension (3/5) • Coordination (3/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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